Micah Richards told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that Newcastle boss Steve Bruce can play more ‘expansive football’ having worked with him at Aston Villa.
Whilst Richards wasn’t a regular under Bruce at Villa Park, he was able to see on a weekly basis what the Newcastle man and his coaching staff would muster up in B6.
During his time at Villa, a lot was made about Bruce’s negative style, concerns which are now being voiced by those at Newcastle.
Well, Richards shared a first-hand experience about what it’s like to be coached by Bruce on the training pitch and how he can do more on matchday.
“Do I believe Steve Bruce should play more expansive football? Yes,” said Richards. “I am saying that because I worked with him. I have seen his training sessions.
“The coaches that he has got with him put on some incredibly good sessions and then when it comes to matchday, the first thing is working hard and you don’t see all of what they have done in training come into play at the weekend.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult. He can do more than what he’s showing. But, on the other hand, he has to get results. And sometimes playing good football can’t guarantee you good results.”
Richards comments about Bruce needing to play more attack-minded football won’t surprise those at Villa Park because that’s the one problem they had with the Englishman.
In the Championship, Villa had assembled one of the most expensive squads ever seen in England’s second-tier, but they failed to win promotion during his time at the club.
When Dean Smith replaced Bruce months after Villa’s play-off final defeat to Fulham, the ex-Brentford man implemented a front-foot style approach at the club and they won promotion within that season.
And whilst they are sitting in 11th place in the Premier League, at this moment in time, they do have two and even three games in hand on some clubs – win two of those matches and they are in the top three.
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